Downtown Delray Beach

First a picture of the community pool in my sister's housing area. Floridians really do live in paradise.

One of the last places I explored with my family, in Florida, was the new Downtown Delray beach area. Here a section of the town was recreated in that old-style architecture feel with shops and restaurants. We checked the place out before having an Italian dinner.

You could definitely feel that sense of Cuban and Spanish influence in the architecture. It was a cool-Florida-spring evening, but still good for walking around.

I noticed these bicycles along the strip and found them to fit in with the vintage area.

We walked over an Inter-coastal bridge, one of those that will lift up when a large boat passes by underneath. As a kid I always imagined what it would be like to be stuck on the bridge when it goes up. Something I'm sure I don't want to be caught up in.

My Italian dinner was pretty good and very satisfying, boy how I wish could walk down the street and get that!

We walked down the streets and admired the art on display in the shops, all together it was a good evening in a new part of town.

Deerfield Beach

No trip to Florida would be complete with out a venture over to the beach. On both sides (the Gulf and the Atlantic) you have choices. On this day we decided to head to Deerfield beach, which brought back memories.

First we stopped at The Cove restaurant near the inter-coastal bridge. Although, it actually was renamed something I think we all considered it to be what it was called in the past. A long time ago, when I was still in Elementary school, my parents had separated. My father went and lived in a little cottage near Deerfield Beach, which was situated near this restaurant. I recall him taking us and having a great grilled cheese sandwich, while a solo steal-drum performer worked the crowd.

Everything you see again from your childhood appears smaller and less significant when your an adult. The affect was felt here, too.

A good old-fashioned cheeseburger was very scrumptious and filling. As we exited, to my surprise, I saw a cigarette-dispenser machine nearby. I recall as a kid playing with the knobs on these things and was amazed to see it was still operational.

The beach was a little breezy and the water really choppy, so there was no swimming involved in this trip. But fun was had in shell collecting and general horsing around on the shore.

When the sun came out the water turned a beautiful topaz shade of blue, which made you appreciate life.

Floridians have it made, living amongst such beauty. On our way out, there was a little street market going on with food and craft stalls.

I have been enjoying this slice of life in America, and at times really appreciative of how friendly people can be. Striking up general conversations with people in the store or outside, makes me miss living in America.

But so far my home is back in Korea, and I often think about my return. Maybe if I study more Korean I can make daily chit-chat with the folks out there. We'll see...for now I've got Florida.

Brunch and Nature Reserve with Mom

You know life is swell when you can have homemade brunch with your mother. A delicious fruit salad with eggs and an english muffin...yum!

My mom has a great companion dog that gives her lots of company.

We headed to the Boynton Beach Green Cay Nature Center to check out the wildlife. It was a great experience and I mostly enjoyed hearing all the animal sounds.

There were all sorts of animals to be seen, including water fowl and alligators. I only brought my new pancake lens so I wasn't able to get close ups, however there was enough scenery to photograph.

The Nature Center has a raised path you can take around the whole area, which use to be a farm. The previous land owner left it to the county and made sure they turned it into a reserve. The place is very well kept and doesn't look over planned.

While there we caught the sunset, which was beautiful as always.